The IGFA Expands World Record Categories
New species added for line class, tippet class, junior and release-based record categories
The IGFA has expanded its record categories, specifically through the addition of eligible species for the All-Tackle Length World Record category and the addition of three new species for the Line Class, Tippet Class, and Junior categories.
“As the IGFA continues to work toward expanding our global footprint, we are excited to attract new anglers to the organization through this expansion of our world record program,” stated IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “With the expansion of the eligible species for the All-Tackle Length record category and the addition of three new species to the Line Class, Tippet Class, and Junior categories, we will continue to make participation in the IGFA’s angler recognition programs more accessible to anglers around the world.”
Additional details of these recent changes are listed below. For more information or specific questions, please contact IGFA Angler Recognition Coordinator Zack Bellapigna at [email protected] or 954-924-4247.
IGFA All-Tackle Length Record Program Adds New Species
The IGFA All-Tackle Length Record program was launched in 2011 and requires the safe release of the fish to qualify. There are currently 117 eligible species for this program in both fresh and saltwater, chosen specifically for their ability to be safely handled and released alive. These species are available in both conventional and fly fishing categories.
Due to the popularity of this program and from numerous requests from anglers around the world, IGFA staff completed a review of species currently eligible for Line Class, Tippet Class, and Junior records, that were not eligible for the All-Tackle Length record category. The goal of this review is to expand the current All-Tackle Length record category to all current line class, tippet class and junior record-eligible species that can be safely released.
The complete list of new species added to the IGFA All-Tackle Length record categories are listed below. In summary, there are 27 species new species added which results in the creation of 54 new record opportunities. Following the same template that was used when this record category was created, the minimum length requirements are based off half of the length of the current All-Tackle world record. Current Line and Tippet Class eligible species that exceed the length of the measuring device (200 cm) will not be included in the expansion. The following species and categories will be considered open, effective immediately.
Expansion of Line Class Eligible Species
In an effort to continue expanding the organization’s relevance with anglers around the world, the IGFA has added three new species that will be eligible for Line Class, Tippet Class, and Junior record categories, effective immediately. The newly added species, and additional details about them, are listed below.
Brycon spp. (lumped species category)
Brycon – Brycon amazonicus – All Tackle – 2.75 kg (6 lb 1 oz) – Colombia- Machaca – Brycon guatemalensis – All Tackle – 4.32 kg (9 lb 8 oz) – Costa Rica
- Piabanha – Brycon insignis - All Tackle – 1.81 kg (4 lb 0 oz) – Brazil
- Bracanjuva – Brycon orbignyanus - All Tackle – 0.62 kg (1 lb 6 oz) - Brazil
- Machaca – Brycon behreae - All Tackle – 2.28kg (5 lb 0 oz) – Costa Rica
- Sabaleta – Brycon henni - All Tackle – 1.12 kg (2 lb 7 oz) - Colombia
- Sabalo – Brycon melanopterus - All Tackle – 4.35 kg (9 lb 9 oz) - Peru
- Paloma – Brycon rubricauda - All Tackle – 0.72 kg (1 lb 9 oz) - Colombia
- Matrincha – Brycon falcatus - All Tackle – 3.40 kg (7 lb 8 oz) - Brazil
- Piraputanga – Brycon hilarii - All Tackle – 3.36 kg (7 lb 6 oz) - Brazil
- Dorada – Brycon moorei - All Tackle – 3.63 kg (8 lb 0 oz) – Colombia
- Sardinata – Brycon whitei - All Tackle – 4.08 kg (9 lb 0 oz) – Colombia
The Brycon genus encompasses 43 species between Central and South America. Those listed above have been noted as the most popular among anglers in this region on both fly and conventional gear. Due to the large variety of species under this genus, the IGFA will lump these species together into one singular category, similar to how the records for snakehead, trahira, and snook are currently kept.
Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus
All-Tackle – 9.63 kg (21 lb 4 oz) New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Sheepshead are a popular gamefish throughout its range, known for its fighting ability as well as its excellent table fare. The species can be found from Nova Scotia to Brazil with large populations throughout the Gulf of Mexico as well as the American southeast. They are targeted both inshore and offshore, from the backcountry to wrecks. This species would create 36 new line class vacancies including eight new line class records for both men and women, and seven new tippet class records for both men and women. – Maximum Line Class 30 lb.
Blue Peacock Chichla piquiti
All-Tackle – 4.54 kg (10 lb 0 oz) Serra da Mesa Lake, Brazil
The blue peacock is a popular freshwater gamefish throughout the country of Brazil, found throughout most of its river systems and lakes. The behavior of the blue peacock is viewed as being more like largemouth bass rather than the other numerous peacock bass species found in the region. This species would create 32 new vacancies including seven new line class records for both men and women, and seven new tippet class records for moth men and women. - Maximum Line Class 20 lb.